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guamyank · 06-07-2018, 12:41 AM

March 15th, 1878 - Season Predictions

Boston Red Caps Boston has made two key acquisitions in the offseason, bringing in second baseman Jack Burdock (.284) from Brooklyn and right fielder Jack Manning (.313) from Cincinnati. Catcher Pop Snyder (.234) also arrives from Louisville. Boston pitcher Tommy Bond had a 2.26 ERA last season. George Wright, Ezra Sutton, and Jim O'Rourke are the 1,2 and 3 hitters, and Boston, as usual has a very competitive team and has a legitimate shot at winning the third pennant in team history.

Chicago White Stockings The White Stockings have lost several players this year, and though there are still some all-stars on the team, the second half of their lineup is quite weak. Rookie left fielder Frank Hankinson will bat cleanup. Cap Anson and Al Spalding are excellent at the plate. Starting pitcher Terry Larkin arrives from Brooklyn, where his ERA was 2.75 last season. Expect the White Stockings to have a winning record, but they have too many question marks and weaknesses to get their third pennant in a row.

Cincinnati Reds Rookie King Kelly will lead off and play third base for the Reds. Deacon White arrives from Boston to play second base. Charley Jones and Lip Pike return. Cal McVey, catcher, and Joe Gerhardt are solid additions. Billy Geer is a questionable acquisition, as he hasn't played in two years when he batted .177 for the New Haven Elm Citys. Will White pitched 55 innings for Boston last season with a 2.29 ERA. Overall, the Reds look very strong this season, and if their pitching holds up, they could be fighting Boston for the pennant.

Indianapolis Blues Right fielder John Clapp (.314) and promising rookie pitcher The Only Nolan are the two bright spots on this otherwise mediocre to abysmal new team. The Blues will struggle all season and will be fighting to stay out of the cellar.

Milwaukee Grays Like the Indianapolis Blues, the Milwaukee team has a few bright spots and prospects, but will not have a winning record this season. Rookie Abner Dalrymple (left field) may be the next sensation, and shortstop John Peters batted .326 for Chicago last season. Rookie pitcher Sam Weaver looks average at best. Rookie catcher Charlie Bennett shows some promise. Beyond that, there isn't much to see here.

Providence Grays By far, the Providence team is the best of the new franchises this year. Rookie pitcher Monte Ward features solid control with a good fastball and curveball. Lew Brown (.300) is one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. Left fielder Tom York (.275) has seen his average dip two seasons in a row since his career performance of .410 in 1875, but he remains a solid veteran. Dick Higham missed last season, but he batted .386 in 1876 for Hartford. There are a few weak spots on the team for sure, but anticipate at least a third place finish for the new team from Rhode Island.

06-07-2018, 12:41 AM	#95
guamyank Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 297	March 15th, 1878 - Season Predictions March 15th, 1878 - Season Predictions Boston Red Caps Boston has made two key acquisitions in the offseason, bringing in second baseman Jack Burdock (.284) from Brooklyn and right fielder Jack Manning (.313) from Cincinnati. Catcher Pop Snyder (.234) also arrives from Louisville. Boston pitcher Tommy Bond had a 2.26 ERA last season. George Wright, Ezra Sutton, and Jim O'Rourke are the 1,2 and 3 hitters, and Boston, as usual has a very competitive team and has a legitimate shot at winning the third pennant in team history. Chicago White Stockings The White Stockings have lost several players this year, and though there are still some all-stars on the team, the second half of their lineup is quite weak. Rookie left fielder Frank Hankinson will bat cleanup. Cap Anson and Al Spalding are excellent at the plate. Starting pitcher Terry Larkin arrives from Brooklyn, where his ERA was 2.75 last season. Expect the White Stockings to have a winning record, but they have too many question marks and weaknesses to get their third pennant in a row. Cincinnati Reds Rookie King Kelly will lead off and play third base for the Reds. Deacon White arrives from Boston to play second base. Charley Jones and Lip Pike return. Cal McVey, catcher, and Joe Gerhardt are solid additions. Billy Geer is a questionable acquisition, as he hasn't played in two years when he batted .177 for the New Haven Elm Citys. Will White pitched 55 innings for Boston last season with a 2.29 ERA. Overall, the Reds look very strong this season, and if their pitching holds up, they could be fighting Boston for the pennant. Indianapolis Blues Right fielder John Clapp (.314) and promising rookie pitcher The Only Nolan are the two bright spots on this otherwise mediocre to abysmal new team. The Blues will struggle all season and will be fighting to stay out of the cellar. Milwaukee Grays Like the Indianapolis Blues, the Milwaukee team has a few bright spots and prospects, but will not have a winning record this season. Rookie Abner Dalrymple (left field) may be the next sensation, and shortstop John Peters batted .326 for Chicago last season. Rookie pitcher Sam Weaver looks average at best. Rookie catcher Charlie Bennett shows some promise. Beyond that, there isn't much to see here. Providence Grays By far, the Providence team is the best of the new franchises this year. Rookie pitcher Monte Ward features solid control with a good fastball and curveball. Lew Brown (.300) is one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. Left fielder Tom York (.275) has seen his average dip two seasons in a row since his career performance of .410 in 1875, but he remains a solid veteran. Dick Higham missed last season, but he batted .386 in 1876 for Hartford. There are a few weak spots on the team for sure, but anticipate at least a third place finish for the new team from Rhode Island.